Lesia Tsurenko vs Aryna Sabalenka Prediction: Saba can finish this quickly

The professional tennis scene is full of busy schedules and every second week, we are hurled into a fresh tournament. This busy schedule means that players have to be ever-ready as one loss ends it all in the perpetual knockout system in the brutal world of pro tennis. In another knockout game of the Indian Wells Open, Lesia Tsurenko will counter the strong game of Aryna Sabalenka.

Lesia comes into the match-up after earning an impressive 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win against 29th-seeded Donna Vekic. Lesia took advantage of the lost focus by Vekic who committed eight double-faults and had just a 51% first serve. In comparison, Lesia had three double faults and a much better 76% first serve. She posted a 50-35 service points advantage which helped her overcome a 33-42 receiving points deficit. Tsurenko entered as a Qualifier in the tournament and had to overcome tough Qualifiers such as Katie Boulter to make it to the main Round. Lesia is ranked 95th but has produced some impressive results throughout her career.

Saba roars into the contest after brushing aside Evgeniya Rodina 6-2, 6-0 in the Round of 64. The incredible Belarusian superstar had a 78% win on the first serve, thus earning a 33-21 service points advantage while also blowing Evgeniya in the return game, coming up with a 31-17 receiving points edge. Saba has entered the golden period of her career, lifting the Australian Open trophy in January. During that run, she defeated Elena Rybakina in the Final, and various other top-class players. Aryna has adjusted her game a lot, while she has retained her aggressive nature, she has brought down her double-faults and has become a much more well-rounded player. 

This will be the third time Aryna and Lesia will face each other. They are tied one each thus far and the last time they met was during the Indian Wells 2019 where Saba won 6-2, 7-5.

The way Saba is playing these days, it is difficult to bet against her. Early-round match-ups look like automatic wins for her and she has cemented her place as one of the most aggressive tennis players. Lesia has given some trouble to Saba before but I expect her to win this in two sets.